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Heartburn relief that doesn’t harm your kidneys
Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD… no matter what you call it, the symptoms can be painful, including tightening of the chest and burning in the stomach and throat.
Acid reflux results from having too little hydrochloric acid (HCl), the “good” stomach acid; although many assume it is from an abundance of it.
When the stomach does not produce enough HCl, foods cannot be digested properly. This causes indigestion, and as the food sits in the stomach too long, the body tries to produce more and more stomach acid to break it down.
This causes the acid reflux or heartburn, for which many people turn to common heartburn medications, like Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid, which are classified as PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). Recent research warns against their long-term use, as it is now associated with risk of kidney disease. That’s a good reason to try some natural solutions for heartburn relief…
Common causes of heartburn
The causes of heartburn, acid reflux and GERD are broad, leaving many to think they are only associated with a food cause (acid indigestion). But this is not the case. Here is a look at some of the more common causes that can trigger the problem.
- Certain foods, including chocolate, dairy, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, peppermint, onions, tomatoes and high fat foods, can trigger heartburn.
- Certain medications, including those indicated for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, angina, osteoporosis, pain and infection, can trigger acid reflex.
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking, stress, and being overweight and obese are known triggers of heartburn.
Downing a few heartburn tablets is an easy quick fix, but the result could be devastating for your kidneys. Here’s what researchers recently found…
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The PPI / Kidney disease connection
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, found an association between use of common heartburn medications within the PPI (proton pump inhibitor) category and interstitial nephritis, or kidney disease.
Researchers developed a cohort of over 173,000 new users of PPIs form the Department of Veterans Affairs national databases, who did not have kidney disease or used PPIs at start. They followed the subjects for more than five years to see if the use of PPIs had an effect on their kidneys.
They found that the new users of PPIs were 30% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease during the five year study period. What’s more, their risk of kidney failure doubled.
The good news is that there are natural solutions for heartburn relief and a few lifestyle changes that are easy to implement to combat the problem while avoiding kidney issues.
Natural solutions for heart burn
Apple cider vinegar is a great prevention remedy for acid reflux. You can take 2 tablespoon in a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal to help normalize stomach acid and prevent indigestion. While many advocate drinking it at time of heartburn, I have found this makes the symptom worse. However, when used before a meal it seems to prevent the issue.
Related: 5 ailments to take apple cider vinegar for
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is perhaps the best remedy when you are experiencing GERD or acid reflux. This works by balancing the stomach pH when you drink ½ teaspoon in a cup of water. The taste is not terrific but it works great.
For more tips on creating a lifestyle that prevents heartburn, and more remedies for heartburn relief, check out another article I wrote here.
Editor’s note: Did you know that when you take your body from acid to alkaline you can boost your energy, lose weight, soothe digestion, avoid illness and achieve wellness? Click here to discover The Alkaline Secret to Ultimate Vitality and revive your life today!
By Dr. Mark Wiley
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